I'm going through all of these old chapters and updating them, so if you see a little 'updated!' note at the top for a bit, those are my notes to myself that the chapter is done, before I go on to write Chapter 12.

Happy reading!

Chapter 3

The next week found me at the library, where I held a part-time job, in addition to teaching little kids' karate classes. I hadn't had felt any side effects from my recent adventure, thank goodness, and had spent the past week writing my college admission essays with little trouble.

I was sorting books in one of the most remote sections of the library when I heard voices coming from a couple of shelves away from me, in the botany and biology section. Even from where I was, at least fifty feet away, the voices were raised, agitated. I frowned. As someone that spent a lot of time studying in these spaces, I was ready to reprimand these rule-breakers. I marched across the aisles only to come to a halting stop an aisle away, my heart in my throat.

Percy and Calypso were sitting cross-legged on the floor across from each other, a stack of books by Calypso's side and a book in Percy's hand. Percy was squinting at the book, seeming as if he was trying to make out the words. Finally, he gave up, setting the book by his side. "I can't do it," he sighed, his hands clasped in his lap.

Calypso shook her head emphatically. "Yes, you can," she urged, pressing another book into his hand. He shoved it away, standing, his eyes flashing.

"I can't," he said, with a shrug. "It's no big deal – I'll manage, I always have."

Calypso stood as well, a look of annoyance flashing across her face. "Percy, you have to try harder – you won't be able to get into college if you can barely read a normal textbook."

Percy crossed his arms, and I could tell that he was trying to contain his anger. "Try harder? You don't know what it's like to have dyslexia – you can't just 'try harder' and then everything gets better. The words just jumble up in my head, in front of my eyes. I'm reading gibberish, Cal. I can't just –" he broke up, gesticulating helplessly.

I took a step back, surprised and feeling a little guilty for eavesdropping on a conversation I was clearly not meant to hear. It was then that I accidently knocked the stack of books that had been behind me. They fell to the floor with a loud thump. Instantly I froze, creeping back around the corner before almost running full sprint back to the checkout desk at the front. Gasping, I turned, expecting to see Percy and Calypso coming out behind me, an expression of anger on their faces, but to my surprise, the library was as quiet as ever. Breathing a sigh of relief, I quietly started to check in returned books, allowing myself to get lost in my thoughts. Percy's dyslexia was obviously a secret, or else the whole school would probably know about it. I turned the book I was holding over in my hands, glancing at the cover, focusing on the jumbled words until they finally came into focus. I was dyslexic too, and as soon as I had found out, I had my father find me a tutor that specialized in helping kids with dyslexia. In no time, I could read as well, if not better, than most of the kids at my grade level.

Someone clearing their throat jerked me out of my reverie. I turned to see Calypso, eyebrow raised in annoyance. I could tell that she was still ticked off from the fight between her and Percy. She held up a book, her face softening as she set it on the library counter. "Um, I'd like to check this out," she said, a small smile gracing her features. Percy stood slightly behind her, eyes on the floor, his face red.

"No problem," I said, and at the sound of my voice, he straightened, his eyes locking with mine. Despite myself, I blushed.

"Annabeth? What are you doing here?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Fighting velociraptors. I work here, dummy."

He laughed, his eyes sparkling with good humor. "Clearly, smartass." he rolled his eyes slightly, bringing a smile to my face. Taking the book from Calypso, I scanned the barcode, punching in her library card number. I handed the book back to her, willing the redness in my cheeks away.

"Enjoy the book," I said, and Calypso nodded, stiffly walking past her boyfriend and heading towards the door. Percy sighed, his eyes turning dark again.

"How's the head?" he asked, attempting a smile. I shrugged.

"Alright – I haven't had the chance to bump into anything with it yet, so I'm not sure."

He laughed, shaking his head. "You are such a wise girl," he said, shaking his head ruefully.

"Wise girl?" I asked, eyebrow raised.

Percy blushed. "Yes – you always have an answer for everything."

I shrugged. "And you're a seaweed brain," I retorted. It was Percy's turn to raise an eyebrow.

"A what?"

"A seaweed brain," I said, matter-of-factly. "You're a swimmer, which is where the seaweed comes in, and honestly, if 'Wise Girl' is the best you can come up with, then your head must be full it. Seaweed, I mean."

Percy thought for a moment, a pensive look adorning his features - before smirking at me. "Well played, Wise Girl," he drawled. "But this isn't over."

With that threat, he walked after his girlfriend, and I rolled my eyes to myself, turning to the books that still needed re-shelving. Inside though, my heart was racing. His last comment implied that he would see me again soon – maybe of his own accord. But where? How? And most importantly, why? Percy had never paid me much attention before – like he had said only a week ago, we'd been in the same homeroom since forever, and he had barely acknowledged my presence. My mind raced along with my heart, and I could feel myself beginning to blush.

'Snap out of it!' I told myself harshly. 'He has a girlfriend! He isn't, and never will be, yours.'

However, it seemed fate had different designs.

The next day marked the start of my job as a little kids' karate instructor. Having gotten my black belt a year before, I decided that I might as well get some extra training in and asked my sensei if there was any way I could start teaching. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to list 'karate sensei to small children' on my college apps.

Sensei Brunner (or Chiron, as he insisted his favorite students call him), had nodded amusedly, his brown eyes twinkling. While neither Japanese nor able to walk (a terrible car crash ten years ago had taken away the use of his legs), he ran a successful business, having trained from the best student of the best student of the original master of Shotokan Karate. Even though he couldn't demonstrate certain moves himself, he had a sharp eye for technique, and I often spent hours training with him, correcting small errors in my technique until it was flawless. He had, of course, hired other senseis to actually demonstrate moves and teach on their feet, like Charlie Beckendorf, and my two of my best friends: Thalia and Luke. Now, I was eager to join their ranks.

"Of course you can start teaching, Annabeth," Chiron had said, smiling kindly at me from across his desk. "Just try not to lose patience with the little ones – they are learning, they can't be perfect yet."

My smile had shifted into more of an amused grimace. "Very funny, Chiron," I said sarcastically. Beckendorf, who'd also happened to be in the room, stifled a laugh. "I promise I won't 'lose patience' with them."

The kids lined up single file in front of me and Travis (a fellow sensei with a penchant for causing trouble, who was assigned by Chiron to help me through my first two classes) at the start of class, their white belts tied somewhat haphazardly around their waists. The kid who stood in front of me looked oddly familiar, with dark hair and clear blue eyes that smiled up at me, and my heart melted a bit. He was adorable, and I was tempted to ruffle his hair, or hug him – as if he were two, and not eight.

At the end of class, I had the now sweaty and tired eight-year olds line up again in front Travis and me, just like they had in the beginning of class. I started reading the attendance list, looking up after I read the names so I could match them to each of the boys.

I glanced at the attendance list, confused as to why the list was going backwards alphabetically, until I saw the small smirk on Travis's face and mentally groaned. Of course Travis would play such a small but irritating prank on me. I punched him hard on the arm and he winced, clutching his arm. "I hope you know – this is lame."

"Ouch," he muttered, his face contorted in pain. I smiled casually at him before turning back to the list and continuing to call roll. I dismissed the boys as soon as they were accounted for, until only one was left – the cute little boy with the blue eyes. "Tyson Blofis?" I called, smiling at the little boy. He grinned, saying an enthusiastic 'here!' before scampering off to get his shoes. I turned to Travis, who was now all but glaring at me.

I shook the clipboard at him. "Don't mess with my attendance list."

Travis rolled his eyes, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face. "Lighten up, Annie," he said, starting to walk away.

"Don't call me that!" I shouted after him.

Suddenly, someone placed a hand on my shoulder, and I could sense that someone was standing very closely behind me. "Annie? Haven't heard that one before, Wise –"

Before he could finish (and before my mind registered who the stranger was), I turned quickly, grabbing the wrist of the stranger and with my left leg, sweeping his feet out from under him and flipping him onto the ground. I recognized the face of the person as soon as I saw him lying on the mat, my hand still gripping his wrist as I stood over him, my eyes wide with shock.

"Seaweed Brain?"